Shibboleth

Our Shibboleth Identity Provider (IdP) is an open source authentication package based on the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) standard. A SAML Service Provider (SP) can be integrated with The University of Texas at Austin’s Identity Provider (IdP) to allow end users to access a SAML-protected resource using their University of Texas at Austin EID without the need for a local account.

Shibboleth provides familiar UT EID based authentication to end users while customizing and restricting the attribute information provided to Service Providers.

Intended users

Shibboleth can be used by campus departments or organizations who wish to provide consistent authentication behavior to the consumers of their service.

Shibboleth is most commonly utilized when the Service Provider is a 3rd party vendor that is not housed on campus. Central Web Authentication and TED LDAP authentication services are not available for these Service Providers.

Supported computing environment

Service Providers may consult the Shibboleth documentation at the official site: Shibboleth

Users of the services that implement Shibboleth authenticate through a familiar web interface. This login page is supported on the list of preferred secure browsers. The current list of browsers can be found on the university's Web Guidelines page.

Technical support

Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support is available during normal business hours. Routine requests are typically addressed within one business day.

Tier 1

End users should start with Tier 1 technical support. Any user can call the UT Service Desk at 512-475-9400.

Tier 2

Departmental support staff and the UT Service Desk may escalate issues to Tier 2. The Identity Management (IDM) Liaison will refer issues to IDM team members as needed.

Maintenance

ITS will notify customers about both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance using the Alerts and Outages page of service availability and service delivery issues. Services may not be available during the maintenance periods.

Scheduled maintenance may occur Thursday mornings at 9:00am, as needed. To the maximum extent possible, installation of service, application, and security updates will be performed during scheduled maintenance.

Unscheduled maintenance tasks that require service downtime will be announced as soon as possible on the Alerts and Outages page.

Change notification: ITS will notify customers using the Alerts and Outages page of service availability and service delivery issues for Shibboleth.

User responsibilities

Subscribers (users) of the service and identified owners/administrators agree to be aware of and adhere to the university's Acceptable Use Policy.

Departments who implement a service utilizing this service agree to the Shibboleth AUP.